Japan v Matildas preview & best bets for Asian Cup final
Welcome to our Matildas v Japan betting tips and winner prediction for the final of the AFC Asian Cup being played on Saturday night in Sydney.
Japan booked their spot in the final with a 4-1 victory over Korea, with the Aussies having won their way through with a tight victory over China, with their first AFC Asian Cup title up for grabs since 2010.
The Japanese have been installed short-priced favourites to defeat the Socceroos at 1.28, with the home team as long as 3.80 with some football betting sites.
The Matildas were slight underdogs heading into the China clash, and at 1-1 the match was living up to expectations at half-time, with the magnificent Sam Kerr scoring a brilliant goal to seal the victory.
Japan was expected to defeat South Korea in the other semi-final, but the ease of the victory, will have Matildas fans worried after they drew 3-3 with the Korean team in the group stages.
While Japan’s opponents have not been as strong as the Matildas, they have rattled in 28 goals, while conceding just one in the entirety of the tournament. The likes of Mina Tanaka, Riko Ueki and Maika Hamano give the Japanese weapons the Matildas can only dream about.
Japan v Matildas betting picks
WGL’s football betting expert has assessed the markets and found some Japan v Matildas tips.
Riko Ueki to score
Ueki has scored five goals from just three games at the Asian Cup, to top the goal-scorers (along with Australia’s Alanna Kennedy). The West Ham United star is just 26 years old, is exceptionally nimble and has outstanding ball-striking capabilities. We’ll back her in to score in this match with this option paying around the 2.20 quote with Australian betting sites.
Sam Kerr to score
Australia’s best player and Chelsea star, Sam Kerr, will take some stopping and will be determined to claim the silverware for her country. Kerr struck the winning goal against China and again looms as a key to this clash. Kerr is coming off a knee injury and will be playing her sixth game in just 21 days and has admitted she was physically spent after the China game. Kerr is paying 3.10 to score for the Matildas in this clash – some nice odds.
Over/Under 2.5 goals
We’re confident there will be some goals in this clash and the overs will be cracked. The worry taking the overs is if Japan shut the Matildas out. But you can rest assured the Joe Montemurro-coached team won’t die wondering.
Australia v Japan prediction
Australia will have a vocal crowd behind them when the final kicks off in Sydney on Saturday night, with women’s football incredibly popular down-under. While we don’t underestimate this factor, this Japanese team is good, and seemingly the benchmark in Asia at the moment, with their free flowing style a pleasure to watch. We think the Japanese have greater attacking prowess at this point and should get the job done, against a tough Matildas side. Our final Australia v Japan prediction? Japan to win 2-1.
